Gliederung

Objective: We have recently shown that BP self-measurement (BPSM) supervised by telemonitoring gave a detailed impression of BP-development under Olmesartan treatment in a real life condition. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the frequency of measuring (as an indicator of patients compliance) and response to antihypertensive treatment.

Methods: Patients (n= 53) suffering from essential hypertension were treated with Olmesartan. BPSM was conducted throughout a 9-week period using a TensioPhone TP2 device; BP values were stored and auto-matically downloaded to a remote service centre via standard telephone lines. The patients were instructed to measure their BP twice per day. The patients were classified according to the percentage of days they per-formed at least 2 or 1 measurements per day respectively.

Results: The relationship between frequency of systolic (syst.) and diastolic (diast.) BP-recordings (rec.) and BP-reduction is shown in the graph (Figure 1 [Fig.Â 1]).

Patients who measured their BP more regularly (greater than 2x per day or even greater than 1x per day) showed a greater reduc-tion of BP under antihypertensive treatment.

Conclusions: In the Olmetel Study the patients which followed the instruction to measure their blood pres-sure 2 times per day showed a higher response to antihypertensive treatment with Olmesartan. Whether self-measurement per se resulted in a better compliance or whether the number of recordings was an indicator of good compliance remains to be determined.